Anti-Poaching in Kenya

In two hours the Born Free team lead by Victor Nutumah, supported by volunteers from Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and others – and under the watchful eye of rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service – removed more than 30 deadly wire snares, set by bushmeat poachers to catch and kill Kenya’s wildlife heritage.

Media representatives from KTN, KBC, K24, The Daily Star and East FM saw for themselves the extent of the threat.

Although the team did not see any poachers or manage to save any trapped animals on this occasion previous operations have brought then face to face with the reality of such a deadly business.

“It’s a wildlife crime” stated Iregi Mwenja, Born Free Kenya’s Country Manager “These people are wiping out our wildlife heritage, undermining the viability of our wildlife tourism industry and may even be putting themselves and their loved ones at personal risk from infectious, zoonotic diseases that may be carried by wild animals.”

In a message to Born Free, the Director Kenya Wildlife Service, Dr Julius Kitng’etich commented: “The commercial bushmeat trade is a conservation challenge the Kenya Wildlife Service takes very seriously. While KWS rangers are active throughout our National Parks trying to control this epidemic, we appreciate the long-standing support of Born Free, other NGOs and many Kenyan volunteers who, together with Land Rover, are actively removing snares from wildlife areas outside of the parks, where the problem persists.”

Will Travers, CEO of Born Free, visiting the country at the time said: “It really is up to every citizen to play their part in ridding us of this menace. I urge anyone who is interested in supporting our work to please get in touch with Born Free Kenya."